Fanshawe bike-share program offers a different way of travelling for students

Several bikes in a storage area. CREDIT: MAURICIO PRADO
The Fanshawe Student Union's (FSU) bike-share program lets students rent bikes for up to three days.

The Fanshawe Student Union’s (FSU) bike-share program lets students rent bikes for up to three days. Students must reserve the bike online and then visit the Biz Booth to pick them up. This bike-share program gives the students a feasible, sustainable and healthy way to travel that lets them explore at their own pace, like Fanshawe student Manjot Singh.

“I live far away from campus, and to go to college or work, I am forced to take two buses, which in the long run is restrictive and more expensive,” Singh said.

Cycling is more than just a popular pastime; as a mode of transport, cycling replaces sedentary time spent driving motor vehicles or buses with healthy exercise. According to the National Library of Medicine, cycling is a convenient way to meet physical activity targets and reduce the risk of obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular problems.

The Fanshawe College and Here For You logos are shown. Two people are shown talking to one another. Text states, access respectful, flexible and personalized employment and job readiness readiness services.

London provides more than 350 km of pathways, bike lanes and cycle tracks, serving a growing number of cyclists daily. Plan your route with the help of London’s Bike Map or the interactive City Map, or use Google Maps and select the bike icon for cycling-related information.

“We have received positive feedback about the program as students have full access to the bikes and can use them at their leisure and with their friends,” said FSU Student Life Coordinator Basia Boron. “We expect students to take full advantage of the program and use the bikes as much as possible since this is the only free bike program in London.”

She added that this is a sustainable program because reducing the number of single-rider vehicles will positively impact the environment and the infrastructure of Fanshawe College.

According to research from the University of Oxford, stepping off that gas and onto bike pedals is one of the best things people can do to help the environment. Cycling is considered the most sustainable and low-carbon form of travelling.

“We encourage students to be biking to school instead of relying on their vehicles because it significantly helps with the emissions for the environment and the overall campus infrastructure,” said Boron. “Cycling is only growing, and people need to embrace that it is an alternative mode of transportation that many use out of convenience, necessity and passion. Summer is the best season to go out and tour the city.”